War of Will 'much improved,' could go on to Kentucky Derby

Trainer Mark Casse on Sunday morning described War of Will as "much improved" after the Louisiana Derby (G2) favorite buckled a few strides from the gate in the major 2019 Kentucky Derby prep, going on to finish ninth at Fair Grounds.

The nature of the injury is believed to be a strain of the patellar ligament, part of stifle in War of Will's left-hind leg.

"We're fairly confident that with some treatment and exercise, he'll be back 100 percent," Casse said.

War of Will ships to Lexington, Ky., on Tuesday or Wednesday from his winter base in New Orleans, where the meet is ending.

By War Front, the Gary Barber-owned colt won Fair Grounds' Lecomte (G3) and Risen Star (G2) to open his 3-year-old season and qualify on points for the Kentucky Derby regardless of his Louisiana Derby finish.

In this case, the Louisiana Derby's status as the first major final prep on the calendar serves as a benefit to connections.

"I'm glad we have the six weeks," Casse said. "He's just a super horse to be around, and it helps that you can kind of train him whichever way you need to train him. If all goes well, you'll see him have a pretty aggressive training program."

Grade 1-placed on the turf, War of Will entered the Louisiana Derby 3-for-3 on the dirt. Casse will be looking to improve upon his best-ever Kentucky Derby finish of fourth in 2017 with the champion 2-year-old Classic Empire.